Apparatus and method for making custom length pipe nipple

Abstract

An apparatus to make a custom length pipe nipple, and method for use of the apparatus. The apparatus has a male plumbing thread at one end connected to an elongate member, with length or measurement markings along the elongate member. The apparatus is threaded into a plumbing fixture that will be flush mounted against a wall, and then using the markings on the elongate member, a length is determined that corresponds to the flush mounting surface of the plumbing fixture. The apparatus is then threaded into a plumbing fitting, such as a drop ear elbow inside a wall, and a second length is determined that corresponds to a flush mounting surface of the wall. The two lengths are added together to determine the length of a piece of pipe. Tightening and/or caulk allowance may be included, and a piece of copper or iron pipe is then cut to length. For copper pipe, a threaded male copper fitting is solder attached to each end. For iron pipe, the ends are threaded. Depending on whether copper or iron pipe is used, there are different length or measurement markings along the elongate member.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use in making a custom length soldered copper pipe nipple comprising:
 an elongate member with a first end and a second end; 
 a first plumbing pipe thread on the first end of the elongate member; 
 first length markings on the elongate member increasing from the first end toward the second end, a zero point on the first length markings spaced a first distance from the first end, the first distance the same as a distance between a threaded end of a threaded copper fitting and a shoulder in the threaded copper fitting, the apparatus used in making a custom length soldered copper pipe nipple. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle on the second end of the elongate member. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hole through the elongate member configured to allow passage of a screwdriver for use as a handle. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first length markings are measured in inches and fractions of an inch. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first length markings are measured in millimeters. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first plumbing pipe thread is ½ inch male national pipe thread. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a maximum diameter of the elongate member is substantially the same as the diameter of standard ½ inch iron plumbing pipe. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second length marking spaced from the first length marking on the elongate member. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second length marking on the elongate member spaced from the first length marking on the elongate member, wherein the first length marking is measured in inches and fractions of an inch, and the second length marking is measured in millimeters. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second plumbing pipe thread on the second end of the elongate member. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising second length markings on the elongate member increasing from the second end toward the first end, the second length markings corresponding to an end of the second plumbing pipe thread. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for use in making a custom length soldered copper pipe nipple comprising:
 an elongate member with a first end and a second end; 
 a ½ inch male national pipe thread on the first end of the elongate member; 
 a hole through the elongate member, wherein the hole is configured to allow a screwdriver to pass through and serve as a handle; 
 a plurality of length markings that are measured in inches and fractions of an inch increasing from the first end toward the second end, the length markings spaced around a circumference of the elongate member, a zero point on the length markings spaced a first distance from the first end, the first distance the same as a distance between a threaded end of a threaded copper fitting and a shoulder in the threaded copper fitting, the length markings indicating a length of a copper pipe needed to make a custom length soldered copper pipe nipple.